Individual National Education Consultant to support MoES in the development and implementation of Fundamental Quality Standards-based school development in Lao PDR

UNICEF in Vientiane, Lao PDR is looking for an Individual National Education Consultant to support MoES in the development and implementation of Fundamental Quality Standards-based school development in Lao PDR. The duration of this assignment is 11,5 months, starting from 15 July 2021 until 30 June 2022, with a possible extension, based on satisfactory performance. The Consultant will be working from the MoES DLEQA office in Vientiane Lao PDR as well as work from home in case of restriction in movements because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is foreseen that this assignment will involve regular travelling to the provinces, districts and schools.

UNICEF is a UN organization mandated by the UN General Assembly to advocate for the protection of children’s rights, to help meet their basic needs and to expand their opportunities to reach their full potential. In Lao PDR, UNICEF is working with its partners to support the Government to realize children’s rights on survival, development, protection and participation.

UNICEF works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfill their potential.

Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.

And we never give up.

For every child, support

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UNICEF in Vientiane, Lao PDR is looking for an Individual National Education Consultant to support MoES in the development and implementation of Fundamental Quality Standards-based school development in Lao PDR. The duration of this assignment is 11,5 months, with a possible extension, based on satisfactory performance.  The Consultant will be working from the MoES DLEQA office in Vientiane Lao PDR as well as work from home in case of restriction in movements because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is foreseen that this assignment will involve regular travelling to the provinces, districts and schools.

Summary of key functions/accountabilities:

The consultant will be supporting the UNICEF Education Programme team and LEQA by providing technical inputs for key programme interventions. These include:

Development and implementation of the FQS-based school development process at primary, secondary and ECE/pre-school levels

• Supporting the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the new Primary School FQS-based school development guidelines in UNICEF target districts included providing technical inputs; support coordination with DLEQA-UNICEF, DESBs, PESS; supporting translation as needed; supporting organization of workshops and meetings, including online consultations and prepare meeting minutes; supporting monitoring of implementation and preparing documentation about the initiatives, including lessons learned

• Informed by the lessons learned of the trial, support the review of the School development guidelines by taking the lead in updating (i.e. editing) of the guidelines, as well as the corresponding guidelines for DESB staff.

• Supporting the development and implementation of blended learning training courses on FQS-based school- development for principals and DESB staff by providing technical inputs, reviewing and quality assuring of course content, serving as a “Master trainer”, and leading the coordination with institutional consultants supporting development of blended learning courses.

• Supporting the development of early childhood education (ECE)- and secondary school Fundamental Quality Standards and corresponding school development guidelines by taking the lead in drafting of the standards and guidelines, in close coordination with UNICEF and key MoES departments, in particular the Department of Early Childhood Education and the Department of General Education.

• Supporting the development and implementation of blended learning training courses on FQS-based school- development for principals and DESB staff working at ECE and secondary levels by providing technical inputs (written and verbal), reviewing and quality assuring of course content, serving as a “Master trainer”, and leading the coordination with institutional consultants supporting development of blended learning courses, and supporting DLEQA in the trailing of these courses in target districts.

• Carry out other tasks linked to the development and implementation of the FQS-based school development process at ECE-, primary- and secondary levels as needed.

Development and trailing of FQS for District Education and Sports Bureaus

• Supporting the development and trailing of FQS for District Education and Sports Bureaus (DESBs) in target districts. This includes supporting the development and trailing of the self-assessment and planning methodology and tools; supporting the documentation of the trial and processes; and action plans that are to form an integrated part of the DESB Annual Costed Action Plans (ACSEPS), as well as (on behalf DLEQA), leading the coordination with the to be recruited institutional consultants.

• Carry out other tasks linked to the development and trailing of FQS for DESBs as needed.

To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…

Qualifications, experience and technical requirements

• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in education, economics, public administration or related field.
• A minimum of 5 years of progressively professional experience in programme planning and management is required; of which at least three years in the education sector.
• Experience in school self-assessment and development planning is considered an advantage.
• Experience in organising multi-stakeholder consultation meetings/workshops and drafting of training materials is an advantage.
• Working experience in a UN system agency or other international organisations is an advantage.
• Fluency (spoken and written) in English and Lao is required.

Competencies

• Drafting skills.
• Ability to work independently in a timely manner.
• Drive to achieve results for impact.
• Works collaboratively with others.
• Innovates and embraces change.

Submission of applications:

Interested candidates are kindly requested to apply and upload the following documents to: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/

• Letter of Interest (cover letter)
• CV or Resume
• Performance evaluation reports or references of similar consultancy assignments (if available)
• Financial proposal: All-inclusive lump-sum cost including travel and accommodation cost for this assignment as per work assignment.

The deadline for applications is 18 July 2021

Assessment Criteria: 

As part of the evaluation and selection, a Cumulative Analysis Method (weight combined score method) shall be used for this recruitment. This involves a technical evaluation and an assessment of the financial proposal:

a) Technical evaluation of the candidates’ qualifications, experience and expertise (max. 100 points) weight 70%:

Qualifications (20 points)

• A first-level university degree (bachelor’s degree or equivalent) in education, economics, public administration or related field (20 points).

Experience and expertise (80 points)

• A minimum of 5 years of progressively professional experience in programme planning and management is required; of which at least three years in the education sector (20 points).
• Experience in school self-assessment and development planning is considered an advantage (20 points).
• Experience in organising multi-stakeholder consultation meetings/workshops and drafting of training materials is an advantage (20 points).
• Working experience in a UN system agency or other international organisations is an advantage (10 points).
• Fluency (spoken and written) in English and Lao is required (10 points).

b) Financial Proposal (max. 100 points) weight 30%

The maximum number of points shall be allotted to the lowest Financial Proposal that is opened /evaluated and compared among those technical qualified candidates who have attained a minimum 70 points score in the technical evaluation. Other Financial Proposals will receive points in inverse proportion to the lowest price. The Contract shall be awarded to the candidate obtaining the highest combined technical and financial scores, subject to the satisfactory result of the verification interview, if required.

The applicants should provide medical insurance covering medical evacuation for the whole duration of the assignment -as part of the financial proposal submission. 

The Contract shall be awarded to candidate obtaining the highest combined technical and financial scores, subject to the satisfactory result of the verification interview.

Please find the TOR here:  TOR National Education Consultant for TMS VA.pdf

For every Child, you demonstrate...

UNICEF's values of Care, Respect, Integrity, Trust, and Accountability (CRITA) and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.

View our competency framework at here

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.

UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks. Background checks will include the verification of academic credential(s) and employment history. Selected candidates may be required to provide additional information to conduct a background check.

Remarks:

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.